Plans to change Bute hotel into residential property

Plans have been lodged with Argyll and Bute Council's planning department to change St Blane's Hotel from a hotel to a residential property.

Karen Keith

Plans have been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council’s planning department requesting a change of use for St Blane’s Hotel from hotel to residential property.

The applicant - Mrs Helen Spragg - describes the hotel’s most recent use as ‘Bankrupt hotel. Closed in 2011, then left empty, now in a bad state of repair’.

As justification for no longer operating as a hotel, Mrs Spragg states in her application: “In general it is not a good economic time for any hotel, even for those that have traditionally done well, but it seems that when the Kingarth does well then St Blane’s fails, and possibly vice versa. Research suggests there is insufficient business for two hotels in the area.

The ‘low number’ of residents is also cited as further reason there is insufficient support for a hotel, restaurant or bar.

Mrs Spragg bought St Blane’s Hotel on January 10 this year, and states: “I believe it could make a lovely large holiday home for big family gatherings. I have two holiday cottages on the Isle of Cumbrae. I have restored a number of historic buildings and will enjoy bringing St Blane’s Hotel back to life and making it a beautiful building once again.”

She adds: “Trading it as a holiday rental rather than a hotel is just advantageous to the Isle of Bute economy.”

If the application is successful, Mrs Spragg proposes the name be changed from St Blane’s Hotel to St Blane’s House, and has stated that no structural changes are required.

* The plans can be viewed at the Sub Post Office in Kilchattan Bay or on the planning section on Argyll and Bute Council’s website - click here.